News Room News Releases

Mass. Agriculture Department Advises Farmers:
Biosecurity is More Important than Ever

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2001

CONTACT: Diane Baedeker Petit,
617-626-1752
Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us

The Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture has launched an effort to educate local livestock farmers about the increased importance of biosecurity in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

"Experts say that one goal of our terrorist enemies is to interrupt the economic life of our country. Introduction of a highly contagious organism capable of causing widespread disease in livestock or poultry would achieve that result," explains Jonathan L. Healy, state Commissioner of Food and Agriculture. "Animal agriculture is a vital industry in the United States linked to tens of thousands of jobs in related industries such as food processing and retailing through markets and restaurants."

The Department of Food and Agriculture has issued an advisory to farmers which it has posted on its web site (www.massdfa.org), published in its newsletter, and is being distributed at farmer meetings and conferences.

"American livestock producers and processors export over $6 billion dollars in meat products annually. The occurrence of a foreign animal disease in the United States, introduced through an act of bioterrorism, could effectively reduce or wholly eliminate our export markets in livestock products and disrupt the nation's economy and food supply," says Commissioner Healy.

Given the active interstate trade of livestock in this country and the highly contagious nature of some biological agents such as foot and mouth disease, no area of the country is immune, according to the Department's Chief of the Bureau of Animal Health, Dr. David Sherman.

"With the widespread and rapid movement of market animals by truck that characterizes the modern livestock industry today, foot and mouth disease introduced into Massachusetts on a Monday could be disseminated through much of the nation by the end of the week," says Dr. Sherman.

The Bureau of Animal Health offers this advice to farmers:

• Livestock keepers should reevaluate security on their premises, particularly with regard to the risk of intruders entering the premises at night. Animal houses, feed storage facilities, fertilizer storage areas, watering tanks, and milk houses should be made secure so that they can not be tampered with at night.
• If possible, animals maintained at pasture should be housed. If this is not feasible, then the animals should be visited daily, a head count made, and any signs of illness noted.
• All animals on the premises should be inspected daily to evaluate their health. Any unusual or unexpected problems should be recognized and a veterinarian called right away to examine the animals. Signs of disease of particular concern are sudden deaths, high fevers, abortions, blisters or sores around the mouth and feet, or any obvious changes in behavior or coordination.
  
• Heightened biosecurity measures should be in force. Ideally, closed herds or flocks should be maintained. If animals must be bought, try to acquire them from other closed herds or flocks rather than from dealers or auctions. All purchased animals should be isolated in a separate building for at least 10 days before turning in with the existing herd or flock. This will ensure that animals incubating highly contagious diseases will be detected before they expose other animals.
• Do not allow strangers on the premises. Require visitors to wear boots and coveralls and place disinfectant footbaths outside animal housing. Do not allow outside vehicles into areas occupied by animals.

Farmers that have questions may call the Bureau of Animal Health at 617-626-1795.